Close clearance ratchet wrench



A ril 14, 1964 DRACKA 3,128,656

' CLOSE CLEARANCE 'RATCHET WRENCH Filed July 10, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 i0 INVENTOR:

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April 14, 1964 DRACKA 3,128,656

CLOSE CLEARANCE RATCHET WRENCH Filed July 10, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: LLAHEME Z. URAEKA.

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April 14, 1964 c. L. DRACKA 3,128,656

.CLOSE CLEARANCE RATCHET WRENCH v Filed July 10, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet s E y IW .ATTY.

f d 4% IE CLARENCE f fiz i cm United States Patent 3,128,656 CLOSE CLEARANCE RATCHE'I WRENCH Clarence L. Dracka, 802 E. Ferry St., Port Clinton, Ohio Filed July It 1962, Ser. No. 208,706 4 Claims. (Cl. 81-98) This invention relates to a ratchet wrench and more especially to a Wrench wherein the wrench head is articulately mounted on a handle member and wherein the head and a portion of the handle member are configurated to be engaged and disengaged with a bolt head or the like with a ratcheting action enabling the manipulation of the bolt through relative movement between the head and the handle member.

Ratchet wrenches of various types have been developed and used but most Wrenches of the ratcheting type involve the provision of a single handle member fashioned to accommodate various sizes of adapters for both heads of different sizes and configurations. A substantial amount of clearance must be available adjacent a bolt head or nut in order to satisfactorily employ a wrench of this character. In many present day installations of mechanical components requiring a large number of bolts wherein the components must be environed in a compact area or space, difficulties have been encountered in manipulation of nuts or bolts because of the near proximity of other nuts or bolts.

The difliculties are multifold when attempts are made to utilize conventional types of ratchet wrenches having reversible pawls or those embodying gear mechanism or ratchet teeth to attain a ratcheting action.

The present invention embraces the provision of a simple wrench construction fashioned to attain a ratcheting action through limited relative movement between a handle portion and a nut or bolt head engaging portion articulately or pivotally connected with the handle portion enabling the engagement and disengagement of a specially configurated portion on the head and handle members with the nut or bolt head to secure a ratchet action with a minimum of metal in the head portion to facilitate the use of the wrench in close quarters.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a ratchet wrench involving a handle member and a head pivotally connected to the handle member wherein the head is fashioned with an opening to accommodate a nut or bolt head, the head being formed with a series of angularly arranged facets or lands to accommodate six-sided or twelve-sided nuts or bolt heads.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a handle member which may be made of flat bar stock and a wrench head portion adapted to straddle an end region of the handle member and pivotally connected thereto whereby the head and adjacent handle portion are fashioned with clearance spaces bounded by engagable abutrnents for limiting relative pivotal movement during ratcheting action of the handle member with respect to the head member.

Another object of the invention resides in a ratchet wrench construction of a character having a handle portion and a head portion pivotally connected together wherein the head portion is of a minimum exterior dimension commensurate with adequate strength characteristics and whereby the head and handle portions are fashioned with surface configurations adapted for effective engagement with a bolt head or nut in a manner to promote distribution of thrust forces over a substantial area of the head structure whereby fracture or distortion of the wrench head structure is prevented.

Another object of the invention resides in a ratchet wrench comprising a handle portion and a head portion pivotally connected with the handle portion wherein reversal of the driving direction in manipulation of a nut or bolt head is attained by simply inverting the wrench construction.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a ratchet wrench comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the latter being arranged to straddle an end region of the handle portion and wherein the surfaces in the bight region of the wrench head cooperate with surface areas on the end region of the handle membet to limit relative movement between the members.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of constructions and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a form of wrench construction of the invention showing the head and handle components of the Wrench in engagement 'with a hexagonal bolt head;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the wrench construction illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 3'3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the regions of the wrench head and pawl portion of the handle member in engagement with a hexagonally-shaped bolt head;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating the relative positions of the handle member and the head member wherein the wrench head is free of the nut to facilitate a ratcheting cycle;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the head and pawl portions of the handle member reengaged with a different region of the bolt head illustrating the character of engagement of the head and handle members with a bolt head;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating the relative positions of the head and handle members during a release movement of the head and handle members preparatory to eifecting a further movement of the bolt head in one direction;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of the 'wrench head illustrating its use with a twelve-sided bolt head or nut;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating the inter-engagement of abutment surfaces on the handle and head members in an extreme position of pivotal movement of one with respect to the other;

FIGURE 9 is a greatly enlarged view of the head and adjacent region of the handle member illustrating in detail the work engaging configurations formed on the head and pawl region of the handle member;

FIGURE 10 is an isometric view of the Wrench head and pivot member for securing the head to a handle member;

FIGURE 11 is a view of the pawl region of the handle member;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view illustrating a modified form of handle construction;

FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of a modified form of wrench construction;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view of the construction shown in FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a greatly enlarged view similar to FIG- URE 9 illustrating in detail the arrangement of work engaging surfaces and cooperating abutment surfaces on the head and handle members of the wrench shown in FIG- URE 13 FIGURE 16 is an isometric view illustrating the 3 wrench head and pivot support of the wrench shown in FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 illustrating the work engaging portion of the handle member shown in FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 18 is a plan view illustrating a modified form of wrench construction, and

FIGURE 19 is a side view of the construction shown in FIGURE 18.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGURES 1 through 11 illustrating one form of wrench construction of the invention, the wrench is inclusive of a handle or handle member 26 and a wrench head or head member 22, the latter being pivotally joined to the handle member by a pivot shaft or rivet 24. The handle construction 20 includes a flat metal bar 26 preferably of rectangular cross-section having an enlarged portion 28 adjacent the wrench head 22, another portion of the bandle member 20 being equipped with hand grip sections or members 30 secured to the bar 26 by means of rivets 32. The handle sections 30 may be fashioned of metal, plastic or other suitable material.

It is to be understood that the bar 26 may be configurated so that a plastic handle portion may be molded on the bar 26 and surrounding the latter. If desired, the portion of the bar 26 adjacent the handle sections 30 may be fashioned of circular cross-section and knurled to provide a convenient grip portion as illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14. The other end region of the bar 26 is provided with an end section 28 of a width greater than the adjacent region of the bar 26 and preferably of the same thickness as that of the body portion of the bar 26.

As shown in FIGURE 11, the end section 28 is provided with an opening 35 to accommodate the rivet or pivot pin 24. The section 28 is provided with two abutment surfaces 36 and 3S and an intermediate pawl configuration 40 for engagement with nut or a bolt head, this configuration being hereinafter described in further detail.

The wrench head component 22 is fashioned with a first opening 42 to accommodate a nut or bolt head 44 to be acted on by the wrench construction.

As particularly shown in FIGURE 10, the Wrench head 22 is fashioned with a second opening or slot 46, the slot forming the furcations 48, the furcations being provided with aligned openings 50. The slot or opening 46 is of a width to receive the end section of the handle construction 20 with sufficient clearance to facilitate pivotal movement of the wrench head 22 with respect to the handle portion 26. The rivet or stub shaft 24 is inserted through the aligned openings 35 and 50 in the section 28 and the furcations 48 whereby the wrench head 22 is mounted for relative pivotal movement with respect to the handle portion 26.

As particularly shown in FIGURE 9, the axis of the rivet or stub shaft 24 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the handle and head portions as indicated at B to obtain a ratcheting action through relative pivotal movement of the wrench head 22 with respect to the handle as hereinafter described. Certain wall regions of the slot 46 formed in the wrench head 22 provide abutment surfaces 52 and 54, particularly shown in FIGURE 9, for cooperation respectively with the abutment surfaces 36 and 38 formed on the handle section 28- to limit the relative pivotal movement in both directions of the wrench head 22 with respect to the handle member 26.

The configuration of the interior surface regions of the opening 42 in the wrench head is important in order to attain successful operation of the wrench construction. With particular reference to FIGURE 9, there is illustrated three centers designated C1, C2 and C3 which lie on the longitudinal axis AA of the wrench head and determine the centers of arcs of construction of certain interior surface configurations or areas defining the opening 42 and the radius of the exterior surface 47 of the 4 wrench head at the region of engagement of the wrench head with a nut or bolt head.

The center C3 identifies the center of radius R4 of the exterior surface of the semicircular end region 47 of the wrench head. In the embodiment illustrated, the centers C1 and C2 are spaced equal distances at opposite sides of the center C3. The radius R1 which is scribed from the center C1 defines the positions of the apices 56, being the convergent points of planar surfaces or facets 53.

The apices of the convergence of the planar surfaces or facets 58 are spaced 30 apart, as shown in FIGURE 9, to accommodate a nut or bolt head 60 having six facets or six apices and to accommodate a twelve-point bolt head or nut having twelve facets as shown in FIGURE 7. The curved interior surface region of opening 42 is defined by radius R3 having its center of generation at C2. The radius R2 having its center at C1 determines the curved surface portions 62 connecting the planar surfaces or facets 58, as shown in FIGURE 9.

The surface regions connecting the semicircular surfaces generated by the radii R3 and R3 are tangent or flat connecting surfaces 66, the surfaces 66 being of a length equal to the distance between the centers C1 and C2. The radius R3, being generated about the center C2, is not tangent with the flat surfaces 66 but the curved surface defined by radius R3 is joined to the flat surfaces 66 at the regions indicated at 68 by short angular connecting surfaces.

Thus it will be seen that the opening 42 in the wrench head 22 although generally circular is elongated to an extent equal to the distance between the centers C1 and C2. This elongation is provided so that the points or apices of a bolt head or nut of either a six-point or twelvepoint type will clear the short curved facets, lands or surfaces 62 to enable the rotation of the wrench head 22 independently of the bolt head or nut.

The configuration of the pawl portion 40 of the wrench handle section 28 is especially shaped to engage regions of a bolt head or nut generally diametrically opposite those regions of the wrench head 22 which engage the bolt head nut. As shown in FIGURES 5 and 9, the wrench head 22 and the pawl portion 40 of the handle section 28 are disposed in positions wherein both components are arranged for effective gripping engagement with a bolt head or nut. In this position the apices 70 are disposed on a radius R1 equal to the radius R1 and generated about the common center C1.

The apices 70 are circumferentially spaced through angles of 30 which disposes them diametrically opposite to three of the apices 56 formed at the convergence of pairs of planar surfaces 58 of the wrench head 22. The planar surfaces or facets 72, in the position shown in FIGURE 9, are adapted for engagement with facets of a bolt head or nut in the manner hereinafter described.

It should be noted that when the wrench head 22 and pawl portion 40 are in a bolt head or nut engaging position as shown in FIGURE 9, the abutment surfaces 54, 38 and 36, 52 are out of engagement so that there is no impeding of an effective gripping engagement of the components with a bolt head or nut.

The steps in the use of the wrench in applying ratcheting action to a hexagonally-shaped bolt head or nut is exemplified in FIGURES 3 through 6. As shown in FIG- URE 3, the wrench head 22 and the pawl configuration 40 of the handle section 28 are in positions of effective engagement with a hexagonally-shaped bolt head 44. The engagement illustrated in FIGURE 3 is of a character whereby tightening of the bolt is obtained by moving the handle portion 26 of the wrench in a clockwise direction.

Assuming that the wrench construction is to be rotated during each ratcheting cycle sufiicient to rotate the bolt 44 through A of a revolution, that is, through a circumferential distance of 30, the relative position of the parts or components, shown in FIGURE 3 may be considered to be at the end of a single ratcheting movement of the wrench.

With reference to FIGURE 4, the handle member 26 is then moved in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the rivet or stub shaft 24 to engage the abutment surfaces 36 and 52, thus limiting the relative pivotal movement of the handle portion 26 with respect to the wrench head 22.

This action moves the pawl region 40 of the handle section away from the bolt head 44 and, as the handle portion 26 is moved a further distance in a counterclockwise direction, the wrench head 22 is moved whereby the facets of the bolt head 44 previously in engagement with the surfaces 58 of the wrench head are relieved from engagement with the wrench head and the head moved relative to the bolt head in a counterclockwise direction an amount equal to A of a revolution of the bolt head.

The operator then effects pivotal movement of the handle portion 26 about the rivet or stub shaft 24 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5. In this position, two of the apices, formed by the facets of the bolt head, engage in the apices 56 and the planar surfaces of facets 72 of the pawl portion adjacent the median apex 70 of the pawl configuration 4t engage with adjacent facets on the bolt head 44. In this position, clockwise rotation of the handle 26 about the axis of the bolt head 44 moves or rotates the bolt head through of a revolution to the position shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a subsequent counterclockwise movement of the handle 26 about the rivet 24 to disengage the pawl configuration 40 from the bolt head 44 to facilitate relative rotation of the wrench head 22 with respect to the bolt head to repeat the above described ratcheting cycle. During ratcheting action, the abutments 38 and 54 are not engaged, these abutments serving to limit the relative pivotal movement of the wrench head 22 with respect to the handle portion 26 when the wrench head is not in engagement with a bolt head or nut. The above described steps in the ratcheting action take place during a tightening or clockwise rotation of the bolt head 44 having a right-hand thread.

It will be apparent that through the specific positioning of the pivot shaft or rivet 24 with respect to the center line A--A of the wrench head, the relative move ment between the wrench head 22 and the handle section 28 effects movement of the pawl portion 40 into and out of engagement with a bolt head or nut. This arrangement enables the use of a substantial force effective to grip the bolt head or nut and thereby prevent slippage of the bolt head or nut with respect to the wrench construction.

The pairs of surfaces 58 converging into the apices 56 formed in slightly less than 180 of the interior surface of the opening 42 provide for positive surface engagement between the wrench head 22 and a bolt head or nut to prevent any relative slippage or skidding between the wrench head 22 and the bolt head or nut during tightening movements of the wrench.

In order to loosen a bolt or nut, the ratchet wrench is simply reversed or inverted and the ratcheting action then takes place in a counterdirection to that hereinabove described. The same ratcheting action may be employed in tightening or loosening a bolt or nut 60 of the twelvepoint type shown in FIGURE 7.

HIGURE 12 illustrates the same general type of wrench construction hereinbefore described embodying a modified handle portion. In this form the body or elongated portion 26 of the handle is of circular cross-section and at the grip region thereof is provided with struck-up ear portions 76. The grip portion of the wrench is fashioned of resinous plastic 78 of conventional character which is molded around the region of the body 26 fashioned with the struck-up portions 76.

The struck-up portions 76 serve to fixedly maintain the grip portion 78 in secure engagement with the body portion 26'. The body portion 26 is fashioned with a rectangular section 28 and the wrench head 22 of the same character as the wrench head '22 is pivotally joined to the section 28' by means of the stub shaft or rivet 24. The operation of this form of wrench is the same as that hereinbefore described in connection with the wrench shown in FIGURES 1 through 11.

FIGURES 13 through '17 illustrate a modified form of the wrench construction wherein the handle construction is fashioned with a shank or body portion of circular cross-section having an enlarged cylindrically-shaped, knurled grip or handle portion 82 and an enlarged end section 84.

In this form, extending forwardly of the section 84, is a tenon portion 86 of reduced thickness providing abutment surfaces or ledges 88 at the junction of the portion 86 with the enlarged section 84, as shown in FIG- URE 17. The Wrench head 22a is of the same general construction as the head .22 hereinbefore described.

The head 22a is provided with a first opening 42a which is of the same configuration as shown in FIGURE 9. The head 22a is fashioned with a second opening or slot 46a providing furcations or leg portions 48a, the slot 46a being of a dimension to snugly, yet movably receive the extension or tenon 86 as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14. The extension 86 is provided with an opening 35a and the furcations 48a are provided with openings 50:; which, in assembly of the head 22 with the extension 86, are aligned to receive the pivot shaft or rivet 24a. After assembly of these components, the end of the rivet is swaged over to hold the par-tsin permanently assembled position.

The edge extremities of the furcations or portions 48a straddling the handle section 86 are fashioned with surfaces 94) and 92 which form abutments or abutment surfaces alternately engageable with the abutment surfaces or ledges 88 :to limit relative pivotal movement between the handle 80 and the wrench head 22a and serve the same functions as the abutment surfaces 36, 52 and 38, 54 in the wrench construction shown in FIGURE 9.

The handle extension section '86 is fashioned with a pawl configuration 40a of the same shape as the configuration 40, shown in FIGURE 9, the pawl configuration 40a cooperating with the planar surfaces or facets 58a and the apices 56a fashioned on the inner surface of the opening 42a formed in the wrench head 22a. The ratcheting action of the form of wrench illustrated in FIGURES 13 through 17 is the same as that described in reference to the form of wrench shown in FIGURES 1 through 11.

The thickness of the wrench head 22a is substantially the same as the thickness of the handle section 84 so that the exterior parallel surfaces of the wrench head 22a and the handle section 84 are in substantially the same planes as shown in FIGURE 14. The axis of the rivet or shaft 24a is spaced transversely from the central longitudinal axis of the wrench head 22a to provide for the relative movement of the pawl portion 40a with respect to a bolt head or nut that may be received in the opening 42a. The interior surface area configuration 55a in the wrench head 22a is substantially identical with the configuration 55 shown in FIGURE 9.

In the use of the wrench construction shown in FLIG- URES 13 through 17, in tightening a right-hand threaded bolt or nut, the head 22a is fitted over the bolt head or nut. To accommodate the bolt head or nut, the handle portion is moved relative to the wrench head 22a to withdraw the pawl portion 4011 from the region of the opening 42a to facilitate fitting the head 22a over the bolt head or nut.

The operator then swings the andle portion 80 in a clockwise direction about the axis of the pivot shaft or rivet 24a, which action brings the pawl portion 401: into engagement with the bolt head or nut.

The bolt head or nut is then engaged with the facets or lands formed on the interior surface of the opening 42a and on the pawl portion 40a so that a tight grip is attained on the bolt head or nut. Further clockwise movement of the wrench head causes movement of the wrench about the axis of the bolt head or nut to tighten the same.

The ratcheting action is obtained by repeatedly moving the handle portion 80 in alternate directions about the axis of the rivet 2411 until the bolt or nut is drawn up. To loosen the bolt or nut, the wrench is reversed and the ratcheting action likewise reversed.

FIGURES 18 and 19 illustrate a modified form of the wrench construction. In this form the handle 80 is fashioned with an enlarged section 84', the section 84' having an extension 96, the thickness of the latter being equal to one-half the thickness of the section 84. The extension 96 forms the pawl portion of the Wrench and the nut or bolt head engaging portion 98 thereof is of the same configuration as that shown at 40a in FIGURE 15. The wrench is inclusive of a head section 100 which is substantially of the same configuration as that shown in FIGURE 13 having a bolt head or nut engaging portion 102 which is substantially the same as the configuration 55a shown in FIGURE 15.

The shank portion 104 of the wrench head 100 is substantially the same thickness as the pawl portion 96 of the handle section 84 and is in overlapping relation therewith. A rivet or pin 106 pivotally connects the wrench head with the handle section in the same manner as illustrated in FIGURE 13. The handle section 84 and the head section 100 are respectively formed with abutment surfaces or ledges 88 and 90' which are engageabie to limit the relative pivotal movement between the handle 80' and the wrench head 100.

The operation of the wrench shown in FIGURES 18 and 19 is substantially the same as the operation of the wrench shown in FIGURES 13 and 14 except that the pawl portion 96 is adapted to engage a bolt head or nut at one side of the plane of the overlapping surfaces of the shank portion 104 of the head section and the pawl portion of the handle section.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure 8 is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. A Wrench comprising an elongated handle, a wrench head, said wrench having an elongated opening therein, said opening defined by tWo opposed substantially circular arcs drawn on two centers offset from each other and lying on the longitudinal axis of said wrench head, said arcs being connected by a pair of opposed intermediate surfaces, the portion of said opening defined by one of said arcs being substantially smooth faced, the portion of said opening defined by the other of said arcs having a plurality of projections adapted to engage a polygonally shaped bolt head, said wrench head having a portion overlapping said handle, pivot means offset from the longitudinal axis of said handle articulately connecting the overlapping portions of said wrench head and said handle, the overlapping portion of said handle including a pawl surface having at least one V-shaped groove, and said pawl surface normally projecting into said opening when engaging said bolt head for applying pressure thereto and normally withdrawn from said opening when said bolt head is ratcheted in said opening.

2. A wrench as in claim 1 and wherein said projections having broad apices for clearances during ratcheting.

3. A wrench as in claim 1 and wherein a major portion of the exterior surface of said wrench head is defined by an are having its center point spaced midway between the two centers of said semicircular arcs and also lying on the longitudinal axis of said wrench head.

4. A wrench as in claim 1 and wherein said pawl includes a plurality of V-shaped grooves arranged on an arc similar to said other of said arcs defining said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,363,274 Saffold Dec. 28, 1920 1,370,510 Bockover Mar. 8, 1921 1,859,526 Pascoe May 24, 1932 2,198,951 Roush et al Apr. 30, 1940 2,774,259 Caulkins Dec. 18, 1956 3,023,652 Feldman Mar. 6, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 827,767 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1960 

1. A WRENCH COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HANDLE, A WRENCH HEAD, SAID WRENCH HAVING AN ELONGATED OPENING THEREIN, SAID OPENING DEFINED BY TWO OPPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR ARCS DRAWN ON TWO CENTERS OFFSET FROM EACH OTHER AND LYING ON THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID WRENCH HEAD, SAID ARCS BEING CONNECTED BY A PAIR OF OPPOSED INTERMEDIATE SURFACES, THE PORTION OF SAID OPENING DEFINED BY ONE OF SAID ARCS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY SMOOTH FACED, THE PORTION OF SAID OPENING DEFINED BY THE OTHER OF SAID ARCS HAVING A PLURALITY OF PROJECTIONS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A POLYGONALLY SHAPED BOLT HEAD, SAID WRENCH HEAD HAVING A PORTION OVERLAPPING SAID HANDLE, PIVOT MEANS OFFSET FROM THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID HANDLE ARTICULATELY CONNECTING THE 